And when our gazes collide, I swear the world stops spinning on its axis for a moment.
Liam
Well, if it isn’t the girl of my dreams.
Jesus Christ.
She’s so beautiful, I’m stunned.
I was already in love with my best friend, but seeing her in person? I’m completely obsessed.
Silky black hair down to her waist. Brown eyes framed by dark lashes. Pouty lips, glossed to perfection. Heart-shaped face that I just want to cup and see if her tan skin feels as soft as it looks.
My throat goes dry when I notice the little black outfit wrapped around her curves. Seeing her bountiful cleavage has me feeling like one of Pavlov’s dogs. Not to mention that I want those sexy heels-clad feet resting over my shoulders as I, respectfully, fuck us both six ways to Sunday.
Mabel Garcia has been the object of my love and affection for two years. She has no idea how often I’ve stared at her pictures and memorized every detail so that I can close my eyes and imagine her vividly. She has no idea that our first meeting makes my heart feel like it’s been struck by an arrow.
The girl of my dreams has no idea that she looks like a goddess and I feel like a humble servant ready to worship at her altar.
Mabel has never seen me in person or pictures; it’s not like she can recognize me.
But some part of me wishes, as she stares up at my face, that she realizes it’sme.
Her best friend.
HerLiam.
Suddenly, guilt pricks my conscience. I got her hopes up by saying I might meet her, then bailed like a coward because one, I wasn’t ready to face her and two, I ended up having to work tonight’s shift.
My mind drifts back to earth. I remember that we’re in MacGregor, surrounded by a lot of bargoers, and Mabel is cradling her cheek. She just got elbowed in the face by a little shit who has no sense of direction.
Anger pulses in my frame. I grab the guy—who accidentally hit her—by the scruff of the neck. He’s still apologizing when I push him in the opposite direction of her, where he can’t do any more damage.
As a bouncer, it’s my job to break up ‘incidents’ like these. Though it’s not every day that it involves the girl you love. I try to separate my personal feelings to not give away too much, but I still end up snarling, “Get the fuck out of here!”
The crowd disperses with one heated look from me.
Mabel is still rooted to her spot when I turn back to face her.
I take a step closer to her.
At six-five, I tower over everyone, but Mabel in her heels reaches my chest. She doesn’t seem intimidated by my giant stature. A rare occurrence since most people scurry away in my proximity.
She actually stares at me with a mixture of awe and wonderment.
It’s all the courage I need to dip my head and urge in a low voice, “Are you okay?”
We’re almost eye-level now. She nods, almost shyly. “Uh, yes. Thank you for…that.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” I rasp, my fingers flexing. Wanting to reach for her cheek to soothe her. I stop myself because that would be creepy considering we just ‘met.’ “That looks really rough.”
“It feels like it too.” She lets out a self-deprecating laugh and mumbles under her breath, “That’s what I get for stepping out of my comfort zone.”
I’m not sure I understand what she means. All I know is a nasty bruise is forming and I can’t stand to see it on her gorgeous skin. I grind my jaw. “Listen, I can get you some ice from the bar. It should help with the swelling.”
She’s not embarrassed anymore, as the people around us have already forgotten about the commotion and gone back to partying. But her shoulders still sag and I hate the overall sadness swirling around her. “Yeah, I guess that would be nice.”
“Okay, follow me.” I whirl around to pave our way, then stop short, throwing her a quick glance over my shoulder. “I’m Lee, by the way.”
